Maya Khonje-Stewart, the co-founder and COO of Yellow Solar is on a mission to empower Africa through universal energy access. With over 15 years of experience in Malawi’s private and NGO sectors, she focuses on distributing solar home systems that include solar-powered TV sets, PAYGo lighting, and smartphones. Her goal is to ensure that households in rural Africa have access to light and information, bridging the gap between rural and urban areas.
Africa faces a significant challenge in achieving universal access to power. According to Khonje-Stewart, the continent must embrace renewable energy sources, such as hydro, solar, and wind, as the primary solution for power generation. However, she acknowledges the challenges of connecting every household to national grids, especially those in remote areas. “Connecting all households to the grid would be highly expensive and unrealistic,” she says.
Khonje-Stewart envisions a future where nations focus on high-voltage power grid connections for the manufacturing sector, ensuring local processing of natural resources. She also advocates for grid-connected households to adopt solar-powered geysers and lighting to help cities become more sustainable. “It’s up to the private sector to lead the race for universal access and ensure no one is left behind,” she adds.
Her personal experience underscores the importance of energy access. When Cyclone Ana hit southern Malawi, her household relied on backup systems, including solar-powered lighting and a generator, while the national grid was down for nearly two weeks. These backup systems are crucial in a country where erratic hydropower is vulnerable to seasonal floods and droughts.
Khonje-Stewart’s journey toward energy advocacy began with a shocking revelation. After graduating, she learned about a pregnant woman who was denied admission to a local hospital because she didn’t bring candles. The woman was forced to return home and deliver her baby without medical supervision. This incident highlighted the dangers of energy poverty, a challenge that persists today.
Determined to make a difference, Khonje-Stewart drew inspiration from U.S. motivational speaker Eric Thomas, who said, “An eagle uses the negative energy of a storm to fly even higher.” This mindset led to the creation of Yellow Solar, despite the negative perceptions of Malawi and its rural market. Today, Yellow Solar is a leading player in the solar power market, demonstrating that risk-taking and determination can turn challenges into opportunities.
As a social entrepreneur, Khonje-Stewart believes that an empowered nation can contribute to national goals and achieve global success. However, she emphasizes that this is impossible without access to power and information. If given the opportunity to address an international event like the World Economic Forum or COP27, she would advocate for empowering Africa to empower the globe. “Africa has the youngest, most rapidly growing population,” she explains. “To tap into this potential, we must ensure that Africa receives the right tools to drive global success.”
Khonje-Stewart argues that investing in Africa now will lead to the continent’s rapid industrialization and global integration within a decade. The continent’s youth are eager for information and opportunities to contribute to the economy. “Invest now in Africa by empowering the continent with universal access to power, and witness the 4th industrial revolution take place in under a decade,” she asserts.
Her vision extends beyond just energy access. Khonje-Stewart wants every African child to experience the transformative power of electricity—access to well-lit homes, streets, and schools, and to life-changing information. “When everyone experiences the joy of empowerment, I may finally say that I have achieved self-actualization,” she concludes.
Source: ESI Africa
